2023: Shehu Sani Speaks On Replacement Of Running Mates

Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani has reacted to the debate on presidential candidates substituting their running mates ahead of the 2023 presidential election.

Naija News had earlier reported that some presidential candidates submitted the name of a member of their political parties as a placeholder to meet the deadline by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the submission of their running mates.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential flagbearer, Bola Tinubu, submitted the name of Kabiru Masari as a placeholder pending when a substantive Vice Presidential candidate will be unveiled.

Also, the Labour Party presidential flagbearer, Peter Obi, chose former presidential aide, Doyin Okupe as a placeholder pending the unveiling of his real running mate.

While the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, submitted the name of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State as his running mate.

Speaking on Arise TV on Monday, INEC spokesman, Festus Okoye, said the running mates can only be substituted if only they write to the commission, attaching an affidavit.

In a tweet via his Twitter handle on Tuesday, Sani said that the presidential candidates should manage their running mates if they cannot change them.

He wrote: “If you can’t replace your running mate, just manage with what you have; there may be blessings from unintended marriage. What God puts together.”

If you can’t replace your running mate,just manage with what you have;there may be blessings from unintended marriage.What God puts together…

— Senator Shehu Sani (@ShehuSani) June 21, 2022